Billy Crudup as Steve "Pre" Prefontaine
in "Without Limits"
Previously known as "PRE"
| This
movie is based on the story of the famous competitive runner, Steve
"Pre" Prefontaine.
Not only was "Pre" mostly (?) undefeated in his lifetime, he went so far as to challenge the AAU*.
They made all of the decisions at
the time regarding which runners competed against whom, and when.
Unfortunately, "Pre"
died young, at age 24, in a car accident.
*Amateur Athletes Union This film is said to be less of a bibliography than it is a drama. |
 Billy sure looks different as a blonde. |
| Billy Crudup stars in the lead role as Steve
"Pre" Prefontaine. Billy had been a college athlete, so 4 months of vigorous training had
him in shape to film the movie. He ran 100-200 meter strides several times a week as part
of his training. Billy also spent many hours studying Pre's movements and gestures in video footage that was provided. This, along with the full cooperation of Pre's former coach, Bill Bowerman, should lead to a very realistic portrayal of the star runner. The script was written by Kenny Moore, one of Pre's closest friends. |
 |
Billy's Casting
"I had arranged to meet him at my hotel. Looking around the crowded lobby, I spotted Billy sitting in a high-backed chair against the wall, watching me. He gave me a look and I knew he was Pre. It was one of the most instantaneous moments in my life."
- director, Robert Towne
The film is a Tom Cruise/Paula Wagner production.
Much of the movie was filmed at the
University of Oregon's mythic Hayward Field,People there refer to the "Pre
Days" in reference to the famous runner.Pre's coach, Bill Bowerman, designed
and built the first NIKE shoe.
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